More than 30,000 meals were delivered to homebound Shawano County residents in 2025, with nearly another 4,900 served at congregate sites or as carryouts.
That’s according to Ericka Kowalkowski, the Aging and Disability Resource Center’s supervisor of aging programs, who oversees the nutrition program.
In 2025, volunteer drivers delivered 30,120 meals. Another 562 meals were served as carryouts, and 4,277 meals were served at congregate sites. The numbers are slightly higher than 2024.
“The difference between the two years’ numbers only vary by 0.7% which is a normal annual statistical variance,” Kowalkowski said. “Not surprised at all. They can easily fluctuate in one direction or the other.”
What may be a surprise to some is how important these meals are to some seniors.
For a majority of people who get their meals delivered, the nutrition program supplies more than half of their daily food intake.
Fifteen percent of survey respondents said more than two-thirds of their daily intake comes from the one meal. Another 22% said about two-thirds of their daily food intake is from the meal, and 30% said about half of their daily intake is due to the meal.
“Nutrition programs throughout the state see that participants indicate that their home-delivered meal serves as about half of the food that they consume in a day. That tells a much larger story about the senior population,” Kowalkowski said. “Many seniors have restricted incomes, which makes it challenging in rural areas where grocery options are limited, and transportation is restricted.
The Older Americans Act meal program is a federal program that provides nutritious meals, social connection and nutrition services to adults age 60 and older across the United States. It includes congregate meals and home‑delivered meals.
“It plays a crucial role in reducing hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition among older adults,” Kowalkowski said. “Programs providing meals aren’t just helpful – they’re essential infrastructure in rural communities.”
For the first 10 months of 2025, donations for home-delivered meals averaged $2.69 per meal. Carryouts averaged $3.64, and congregate sites collected an average of $4.56 per meal.
Home-delivered meals are available to those 60 and older, and are considered homebound.
The hot meal is delivered Monday through Friday. Frozen meals are available for the weekend. The recommended donation is $6.
“No eligible person will be denied a meal due to inability to give a contribution,” Kowalkowski said.
Congregate meals are offered at six sites across the county. Days and times the meals are served vary by site. The recommended donation for these meals is $5.
Meals are prepared by JJ’s on Main in Bowler.
A survey at congregate meal sites showed favorable marks for the restaurant’s food taste, appearance, variety and portion sizes.
Socializing ranked even more important than the meal for those at the congregate sites.
Spending time with others was noted by 84% of the respondents, participating in actives was favored by 59%, and seeing program staff and volunteers was at 38%.
“Social engagement becomes absolutely essential as people age, because it supports nearly every dimension of health and well‑being,” Kowalkowski said. “When seniors begin to isolate themselves, it affects them emotionally, physically and cognitively. We promote the congregate sites to play an integral part of the social interactions.”
Eating a balanced meal was noted by 62% of the respondents, with 68% saying they used the meals as a way to get out of the home, and 54% used it as a way to learn what is happening.
Overall, 62% of respondents rated their dining experience as excellent or very good.
A vast majority of respondents who receive home-delivered meals also gave the restaurant high marks on the food’s taste and appearance.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Eligibility for home-delivered meals:
• 60 years or older, or the spouse or domestic partner of someone who participates in the program.
• Must be homebound (does not leave the home under normal circumstances).
• Be physically or emotionally unable to obtain food or prepare adequate meals.
• For the Shawano County program, be a resident of Shawano County.
Eligibility for congregate meals:
• 60 or older, regardless of income, residency or background.
• Younger than 60 if a spouse of a person age 60 or older.
• Younger than 60 with disability, living with a person age 60 or older.
• Younger than 60 with disability, living in the dining facility,
• Nutrition program volunteer younger than 60.
To sign up for the nutrition program, call the Wolf River ADRC at 855-492-2372.
All participants have an assessment completed on them that evaluates their nutrition, food security, malnutrition and activities of daily living. Once completed, they can choose how many meals they would like during the week.
The meal site needs a 24-hour notice to order or cancel a meal from the caterer.
